Optical interconnect within space vehicles in low-earth orbit

Leveraging its expertise in embedded optical communication modules for defense and aerospace, Reflex Photonics is offering radiation-hardened optical transceivers aimed at the space market with the introduction of the SpaceABLE™ and SpaceCONEX™ “radiation hardened” line of products.

Description of the application

When components, like embedded optical transceivers are deployed in space on a satellite or on a space vehicle, they are exposed to both protons and heavy ions from cosmic rays and solar flares.
This is why, unlike most electronic equipment designed for terrestrial use, hardware deployed at LEO (low earth orbit: altitudes between 500 and 2000 km), must be radiation hardened. The charged particles are concentrated by the earth magnetic field into two principal zones called the Val Allen belts. The inner belt ranges from 500 to 6000 km in altitude and overlap the LEO zone where most satellites discussed by this application will be located.

Shielding is not the solution

Systems with increased shield thickness, see a reduction in low-energy proton fluence, while the fluence of protons with energy greater than 50 MeV is hardly affected. Although shielding is effective at reducing the fluence of low-energy protons, secondary radiation is generated as a result of protons interacting with the shielding material. This radiation takes the form of gamma rays, neutrons, protons, electrons, alpha particles, and heavier nuclei. This is why SpaceABLE and the SpaceCONEX radiation-hardened optical transceivers, with their intrinsic radiation resistance, are well suited to provide optical interconnect within space vehicles in low-earth orbit.

Transceiver used in this application

Sign up for Reflex Photonics' Newsletter

Stay up to date and informed on new products and announcements with our newsletter.
The newsletter is published 6 times a year. (English only)

Your name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Company

Sign me up for Reflex Photonics' Newsletter

By using this form you agree with the storage and handling of your data by this website. You may withdraw this consent at any time. Visit the Privacy Policy page to learn more.

SpaceABLE radiation-resistant optical transceivers

We are taking all these environmental threats seriously when it comes to qualifying our radiation hardened modules and this is why we have placed so much effort on testing for heavy ions, protons and gamma rays. Reflex Photonics’ radiation resistant or “Space-grade” transceivers are engineered to withstand radiation doses >100 krad (Si).
Furthermore, all our devices are “Space-qualified” because we carry out complete ECSS lot acceptance testing and component pre-screening for every batch targeted for this market.

Radiation tests summary

Radiation Test #1:

Proton testing: Total Non-Ionizing Dose (TNID).Testing was done at KVI – University of Groningen, The Netherlands.